An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris

A fan of the author’s Southern Vampire Mystery Series, and having read a few other books of hers, it was time to give the Gunnie Rose series a try. It started out rough and definitely had some moments that might make the reader want to skip over a few pages, but overall a good book and willing to read more in the series, but no rush to pick up the next book in the series. After the rest of her crew is killed in an ambush and her cargo is being manhandled and raped Gunnie Rose kills the bandits and delivers her cargo to their family up north. Gunnie Rose then heads home and while looking for new work, two Russian magicians hire her to help them find a missing member who has the key to keeping the Russian Emperor alive.  A dystopian future with magic and secrets from all characters makes for an interesting read. There was a pause before writing the review as attempts to strongly recommend or say not to read were decided, in the end the book is OK. A recommendation to someone who was looking at the book in the book store would be a shrug of the shoulders and recommendation of It is not bad, it is not great, it is meh and the author has written better books, but if you are into dystopian futures and magic is it worth reading this one to see if you want to read the rest of the series.

Character List/Book Sumamry:

Lizbeth Rose – quick with a gun, step-father realized this and trained her to be a gunnie so she would be able to find work when she was older. Conceived because a Russian magician had raped her mom. Realizes the man the two Russian magicians are looking for is the man that raped her mom, and he had been killed a few months ago. Admits to the reader that she tracked down and killed her father. Does not admit to Eli and Pauline that she is Oleg’s daughter.

Jackson – Lizbeth’s step-dad, owns a hotel in town and some businesses. Watches out for Lizabeth but is not affectionate. Let’s her know when Prince Vladimir is in town.

Paulina Coopersmith – Russian magician who hired Gunnie Rose. Is not always mindful of Lizbeth’s advice as a gunnie. After Paulina is killed she is magically turned into a zombie.

Ilya “Eli” Savarov – Russian magician who hired Gunnie Rose. Is kind toward Lizbeth. Explains that the blood of Oleg is saving Alexander, and that is why they need a direct descendent of his. One night explains Russian politics to Lizbeth and why some want Alexander to rule. Made Lizbeth promise to kill his father if she should ever meet him.

Felicia – Lizbeth’s half sister, who Paulina and Eli are looking for. After claiming that Sergi, her uncle, was killed by the zombie Paulina she went with Eli.

Klementia – Eli’s trainer/teacher. The real one helps Eli and Felicia escape and tells Lizbeth who Eli really is (a prince). Allows Lizbeth to escape the carnage by the train by casting a spell on her that lets her be invisible for some time.